Faculty Priorities

• As we begin the new semester amidst COVID protocol, please prioritize high-quality teaching in all your classes and in all modalities.
• Continue focusing on . . .
  • Strong Interaction and Engagement
  • Elements of High-Quality Instruction
• Prioritize connecting with your students on multiple levels—teaching, advising, mentoring.
• Communicate frequently and well with your students, who are experiencing this unprecedented journey with us.
• Clear understanding of processes, expectations, and academic progress is especially important during this time of COVID.

COVID Syllabus Statement

See below for the most recent COVID Syllabus Statement to be embedded into all Spring 2022 syllabi.

Assigned Seating and Attendance

All courses meeting in person must establish a seating chart/plan, so that students sit in the same location each time they are together. This will be an essential practice should contact tracing be required. A close contact is defined as someone who has been within 6 feet of a person for more than 15 minutes within a 24 hour period. Faculty may simply record where students sit on the first day in the classroom and inform students that they will need to sit in the same seats during each class. Attendance must be taken during each class period to ensure that a record is available of all contacts for the class session.

Seating charts for each course and section must be submitted to the Health Services Seating Chart site on Moodle. This will allow Health Services to quickly access seating charts when needed. Seating charts can be created in any format (e.g., Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.) as long as they clearly show the names and arrangement of students in your class. To assist Health Services with easily being able to find the correct course, please label each link or file using the course name and meeting time in this format: ABC1000 Course Name - MWF 9:10 AM. If your seating assignments do not change no additional updates are needed. If seating assignments change (for example, if a student adds or drops a class) simply replace the new file on Moodle with the same naming convention. 

You can find instructions on how to create, share, and submit a seating chart here. If you have questions about submitting these files to Moodle, please contact Mark Henderson.

Faculty Accommodations

Faculty accommodation requests should be submitted for review through HR. Faculty should connect with Kelly Franck (kkfranck@unwsp.edu) about a possible accommodation. Additional information can be found on the Faculty Accommodation and Flexible Teaching Arrangement page.

Changes in Modality

If you would like to change the modality of a course, please consult first with your Department Chair/Assistant Dean. If approved, communicate with the Registrar next and then with your students.

Guidance for Engaging with Students on Face Coverings 

All students need to wear a face covering over their mouth and nose in order to attend indoor classes when 6’ distancing cannot be maintained. Students may not wear a face shield in lieu of a mask unless they have received an accommodation or adjustment from Academic Achievement. The following information outlines ways to engage students in support of wearing face coverings. 

First Response When a Student Comes to Class Without a Face Covering 

• During the first week of class, provide a mask if the student arrives without one (the first time). Initially, students might forget to put their mask on or might forget to bring a mask with them to class. Masks are available from the Academic Affairs Office while supplies last.
• Respond with grace as we recognize we are all acclimating to the revised protocols.
• The next time a student comes without a mask, ask that they quickly go and get their mask and return to class. Students may get a free mask at the following locations, while supplies last:
  • the Robertson Student Center front desk
  • the Student Employment Office in Riley Hall
  • the Knight Hall Ticket Office
  • the Depot in the Billy Graham Commons.
• Try to do whatever you can to speak to this individual personally outside of class (such as moving to the hallway). We desire to show care, rather than confrontation.

Progressive Talking Points as Needed 

• Face coverings are required in every classroom when entering and exiting the class and when 6’ distancing cannot be maintained.
• Consider the safety of others in the classroom, as you may be an asymptomatic carrier and could transmit the virus to others, regardless of their vaccination status. 
• Please begin wearing your face covering, so class can continue as planned.
• If you are feeling uncomfortable wearing a face covering in class, contact Academic Achievement to discuss a potential accommodation or adjustment for the class.
• By refusing to wear a face covering, you are choosing to disregard university policy and to disrespect my oversight of this class; therefore, your action will become a student conduct issue. 

Process for Addressing Student Refusals to Wear a Face Mask

• Ask them to sit in the back or physically distanced, if possible. This should be considered a temporary option to allow class to continue
• Ask the student to leave your class
• Determine if the disruption is large enough that canceling class is warranted
• If a student refuses your request to wear a face covering, this becomes a student conduct issue. Inform them you will be providing their name to Student Life.
• For student conduct issues, email your department chair and John Hyttsten (jphyttsten@unwsp.edu) with the following information:
  • Name of student
  • Name of class
  • Indicate what transpired (what was tried)
• It is important that these emails are timely (within a day or two) of the occurrence

Other Scenarios 

• Students in lab courses or studios may need to wear both a mask and a shield (or mask and goggles) to provide additional protection. 
• Music private lessons and lab students should speak with their instructor to clarify the applicable, approved protocols for their lesson/lab. 
• Students may wear a face shield or remove their face covering while giving a presentation if they maintain 6’ distancing. Students should replace their face covering when their presentation is complete. 

 The image below provides details and examples of approved face coverings and face shields:  

Office Hours

Faculty are expected to hold regular office hours as defined in the Faculty Handbook. At this time, faculty can determine whether their office hours are virtual or in person. If your preference is for virtual meetings, please consider making an accommodation for students who request an in-person meeting. Clarify your schedule for office hours and meeting location (Zoom link, Teams page, office number, etc.) in your syllabi and on your course Moodle pages. Please communicate this schedule with your Department Chair/Assistant Dean as well.

Frequently Asked Questions